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Spirit of 2006 spurs on Maroons

Laine Clark

Memories of 2006 have stirred an injury-hit Queensland as they prepare for another game that may change the course of State of Origin history.

Veteran centre Justin Hodges compared the daunting challenge they face in next week's must win Origin II in Sydney to the series decider eight years ago.

And he hopes history repeats.

Queensland arrived in Melbourne for game three in 2006 staring down a then unprecedented fourth straight series loss to NSW.

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The future of Maroons coach Mal Meninga, his captain Darren Lockyer and - according to some critics - the Origin concept itself hung in the balance.

History shows Lockyer pounced on a wayward Brett Hodgson pass to score the winning try in the dying minutes - and Queensland have never lost a series since.

But that may all change if the Blues emerge victorious at home next week over a crisis hit Maroons and end their remarkable string of eight series wins.

"It does (remind him of 2006 memories)," Hodges said on Thursday.

"That's what is so good about this side. We find a way to win and Wednesday night will be no different.

"We will go down there and give it everything we have got."

But first they need to finalise a team.

Injury-plagued veteran Hodges could see the funny side of being one of the few fully fit Maroons players at their Gold Coast game two camp.

But he admitted their dire predicament was no laughing matter.

He conceded they still had no idea about the team's make-up after Greg Inglis (ankle) swapped a field session for pool work while Daly Cherry-Evans (knee) and Billy Slater (shoulder) trained away from the main group on Thursday.

Hodges said the final word would go to coach Mal Meninga but believed there was a weekend deadline for the trio.

Ben Hunt is on standby for Cherry-Evans, Anthony Milford for Slater and Will Chambers for Inglis.

"The hardest decision is pulling out, but sometimes it can be the easiest," said Hodges, who will mark Origin No.20 next week.

"The last thing you want to do is let down your teammates.

"We've got some great players (under an injury cloud) who make a difference to our side so I am sure Mal will give them until the last minute."

Hodges hinted another Hodgson-like brain explosion may prove the difference in Origin II after admitting they were frustrated they could not crack NSW's line late in their 12-8 game one loss.

"Sometimes it is about luck. Especially late in the game when everyone is tired," he said.